more GDUNH stock

this is the last on it unless I decide to make some during the month the hunt runs, which could be likely as I am loving dyeing at the moment, I love that it is unpredictable (painting is so predictable and safe) and I love that I can make something soft and fairy life one day, and something wild the next. So much versatility actually with dye. anyway, here is a pic or two. These rainbow spirals are all soft, neraly pastel in colour so the tees are not overpowering.

elements of my logo

for those who have asked, my logo comprises of elements from my hand dyed and painted tees I have made in the past year or so. I love animals being a bit of an animal liber, and Australian animals are truly unique. These are some of my favourites to date and what better images to have in my logo than my own!

inspired styles

Part of my new line includes mandalas inspired by timeless ideas and rituals of spiritual societies. These pieces are almost like artistic impressions or representations of yantras (magic symbols), fire yagnas (sacrifices), sand mandalas made by Tibetan buddhists and tribal and pagan images of fire dancing, tribal gatherings, initiations and corroboree events.
These pieces are also aimed at the crystal children being born at this time in the world. You can read more about them here. Here are some of my favourites so far from this new line.

This one is called fire yagna. 2nd one is flower and reminiscent of sand mandala of monks.


This is Lotus and is similar to yantras for the cosmos.

This doesn't have a name yet, but is similar to the Tibetan wheel of fire.

next field experience

I am due to start my next and final field experience in the 2nd week of August and it seems my Blue Card expires a week before. I am hoping with so many please, please, please please's that it will be renewed within the three weeks until I start prac. I am an optimist and am hoping the universe will provide me this small favour as I don't take or ask for much.
Graduation is in December and I am so happy it is nearly all over. I started studying the week my son was born and it has been a hard slog to keep motivated and on top of home life, family life, business and study. My application for teacher registration is almost complete for Qld and I am still waiting on my approval to teach in NSW.

GDUNH prize

is in the mail. To see all the fabulous prizes, click here. Don't forget to sign up as a hunter, only just over a week until the fun starts.

more hunt stock

I am nearly finished dyeing for stock during the hunt. There are a few bags requiring an extra colour from dip dyed and then they all need stenciling, and I'll be finished! I'm loving dyeing the bigger pieces as they allow for detail that just can't be achieved on small children's tees.

GDUNH prize

This hunt we have donated 'fire and ice' a hand dyed library or shopping bag and a hand dyed 100% hemp wallet with zip up coin and notes section and sections for credit cards.
Something for mum/dad this year in the wallet and the bag is the funkiest library bag for the littlins or a great shopping bag for the family.

Results

it's a bit too windy outside to get good photos of these drying, but here are some snap shots. The singlet (right) is dyed using a japanese shirbori method. The colours in the photo are really bad, it is so vibrant and really cute IRL. The Wondersuit (left) is dyed using a spiral tie.

These are part of my new range and will make up a large aspect of my market stalls in the future. This one is a sun...


and this is a eight pointed star. Colours are much more vibrant IRL. Will be up for sale during the GDUNH.

Dyeing Session

I realised today why I haven't done heaps of dyeing in a while... not only is it hard work, but I do it all in a 1m square space which is frustrating. Anyway, I had an appointment at lunch too, but got two hours done and nearly all 29 pieces started. Will take another few days, maybe 6 hours to get it all finished LOL.

First steps for me is to mix my dye. I have chemical sensitivity (long story) so I use a full dust and particle mask to mix dyes. You should use at least a dust mask, but I find even with a dust mask I get a migraine headache. Not a fashion statement to say the least, but safety first.

I keep my mask on until all dyes are mixed and placed in a bottle. I love bamboo skewers, they are the dyers best mixing friend.

Here are two shibori, Japanese resist, pieces. Colours look great from the outside, but this is my first attempt at this using that particular fabric. It is usually done with silk. I have used soda ash in two different ways on each so when I unwrap I can see which technique works best for my purpose. Hope they look as fab unwrapped.

These things have had the dye applied directly to fabric, but soda ash again in different methods. I am experimenting to see what works the best for me.

Pics of everything shown here rinsed in the next few days (maybe)

I have a huge dyeing session planned for tomorrow with 29 pieces to dye! It's the biggest session I have done for ages, but means that there will be a decent range for the GDUNH, assuming I don't mess any up. I'm excited to try some new designs and methods, hope they dye well, and some japanese dyeing techniques. I also have a few new stencils that I have made for the GDUNH stocking for something different. Most are unisex, and then a focus on boys as I find most "unisex" stuff out there is too girly for me.

I am proud to be sponsoring the GDUNH again this year. The GDUNH will run for the month of August. Keep a watch out here for dates to sign up as a hunter.
I am busy making some new things I have been working on for months for this hunt, hopefully they will be tested and complete in time. There will also be more library/shopping bags and of course some summer gear, nice and early. I love dyeing and have a few new methods to make my old lines refreshed and intriguing for all. There are heaps of great sponsors this year so make sure you sign up to hunt.

Matryoshka

Completed and available to purchase on Ozebaby. This tee features the famous Russian dolls, a fabulous toy for all children and a positive image for young girls, rather than the emaciated Barbie or Brats dolls. It still amazes me that all images I see of girls/women on young girls clothes feature skinny, white skinned, often straight blonde-haired females. Not a realistic image for today's future women.

the painting of a superhero

coming to ozebaby this week, still a work in progress
starts with marking out a sketch of proportions in paint and details slowly emerge

our future... a new series

aimed at positive imagery and empowerment for young children
children are bombarded with such disempowering images in today's world, images of super skinny women, images of cutesy dolls, boys are projected to be little monsters and rock stars with attitude. With all this, one has to wonder about the future created from a generation over-sexualised, neglected youth.
I can't help but speak up on these issues, after all I am a indigo child and it is my duty to protect the crystal children, one of which is my son.
This new series will start this week on Ozebaby and will be stepped up around the time of the GDUNH. The first two tees are:

• The Matroyoshka are Russian nesting dolls. The word matroyoshka is associated with the image of a mother of a peasant family who is healthy and has a 'portly' figure.
• Superheros help young boys aspire to think outside of themselves and about the positive acts they can create in tomorrow's world.